User:KTjo96/sandbox


 * Senior Digital Divide

Definition
The senior digital divide refers to the disengagement of elders from online platforms as a consequence of "race, class, gender, and other offline axes of inequality"

Statistics on Online Usage by Seniors
Monica Anderson and Andrew Perrin, in their 2016 Pew Research article, reveal some notable statistics regarding Internet engagement among seniors in the United States. According to their findings, Internet use appears to decrease with increasing age. For instance, 82% of seniors ages 65-69 appear to be using the Internet, compared to only 44% of seniors 80 years and older. Moreover, seniors 65 years and older also claim to require substantial levels of aid when using the Internet; contrary to young adults between the ages of 18-29, where only 6% stated that they needed a lot of help with digital devices. Furthermore, 59% of seniors between 65 to 69 years old, 31% between 75 to 79 years of age, and 17% of seniors 80 years and older claimed to own a smartphone. Lastly, seniors with higher income are also evidently much more tech-savvy. This was also proven in Anderson and Perrin's research, as only 46% of seniors 65 years and older with an average annual income of $30,0000 claimed to use the Internet, in comparison to 94% of $75,000 annual earners.

Causes
In considering current trends, seniors seem to be much less engaged with the Internet than youth. This is especially evident for those at the age of 75 years and older. Indeed, there are various, notable causes for this statistic, which, to name a few, are related to social factors, health restrictions and education.

Social Factors
One of the central causes for today's senior digital divide is the notion that many elderly find it difficult to perceive relative, social benefits for technology and the Internet. In particular, a lack of online communities seems to be a key issue here. From this perspective, many seniors obtain few incentives to utilize the Internet as a result of minimal connections to the online world. Consequently, seniors are less inclined to spend their money on expensive devices that are associated with Internet use.

Vicki Hanson, Ania Bobrowicz and Alison Kay outline some additional social impediments associated with seniors’ apprehensions with online activity, in their research article, Engaging The Disengaged: How Do We Design Technology for Digitally Excluded Older Adults?. Above all, their research reveals some of the fears that seniors have with Internet use. For instance, after interviewing an array of participants ages 65 and older, it was found that apprehension toward the dangers of the Internet are key instigators for the lack of online use by seniors. In particular, worry over a lack of personal security seemed to be a concern for most seniors. Overall, according to Hanson, Bobrowicz, and Kay, these anxieties over online use by seniors is often due to the opinions expressed by acquaintances as well as their first-hand experiences.

Seniors also express negative attitudes with technology, due in part to their disappointment with younger generations who glorify it. For instance, Christopher Ball and Jessica Franci, in their research article, The Physical-Digital Divide: Exploring the Social Gap Between Digital Natives and Physical Natives, identify some of the feelings that seniors have toward digital devices. Ultimately, it was found that most participants in their research expressed utter frustration at their children, grandchildren, and younger acquaintances who are evidently obsessed with phones and other technological gadgets. For these reasons, elderly individuals in this study felt the need to limit their online use, so as to eliminate the perceivable social consequences associated with online interactions.

Health Restrictions
Various health issues, such as strained vision, memory loss, and arthritis, impede seniors in their ability to benefit from the Internet. Standard computer keyboards, for example, are created with small buttons that are undoubtedly difficult for seniors to both see, and therefore use. Similarly, contemporary smartphones are generally compact, however, challenging for seniors to comfortably operate. In this regard, while technological devices are made convenient for the majority of the population, they inevitably pose challenges for seniors with health impediments who wish to access the Internet.

In Michael Massimi, Ronald M. Baecker and Michael Wu’s research paper, Using Participatory Activities with Seniors to Critique, Build, and Evaluate Mobile Phones, seniors were asked to generate an imaginary phone which would diminish some of the health barriers discussed above. In doing so, seniors proposed the need for phones that attain higher volume settings, permitting elderly users with hearing loss to also benefit from new technologies. Moreover, seniors also proposed the need for devices with larger font options, as well as larger buttons, herewith, removing the barriers felt by seniors with arthritis and vision impairments.

Education
In a research study conducted by Sylvia E. Peacock and Harald Ku¨nemund on the adoption of technology by European seniors, it was suggested that education greatly influences the use of the Internet by elderly individuals. Often, higher education correlates with professional occupations that require the use of the Internet. In fact, when considering Monica Anderson and Andrew Perrin's research study conducted in 2016, it was found that 65% of educated seniors 65 years and older owned a cell smartphone, compared to only 27% of seniors with a high school diploma or less. As a result, those with higher qualifications, are presumably more comfortable with the Internet and, therefore, more likely to consider it a useful tool. Additionally, Peacock and Ku¨nemund also suggest that educated seniors are typically more inclined to learn the intricacies of the World Wide Web (WWW), when compared to those without any previous formal schooling.

Smartphone Applications
Jing Gao and Andy Koronios in their research article Mobile Application Development for Senior Citizens review popular smartphone applications that are associated with the health and well-being of Seniors. In doing so, it was revealed that the majority of online software do not fulfill the needs of elderly users. First and foremost, fitness apps seem to cater to young audiences, often disregarding the needs of older adult users. For example, several applications attain long pieces of information with small font sizes, which are understandably challenging for seniors to take advantage of. Furthermore, their research demonstrates some issues associated with the “lack of integration” found in Senior applications. Many health software attain individual purposes, such as the Iphone app, Ojas, used for blood pressure monitoring or Windows’ Mobile app, used for 1st Aid and Emergencies. Indeed, this is seemingly problematic as it does not allow elderly users to benefit from the ease of various health trackers in one application. Paula Alexandra Silva, Kelly Holden, and Aska Ni in their research article, Smartphones, smart seniors, but not-so-smart apps: A heuristic evaluation of fitness app also aim to examine smartphone health tracker apps and their adoption by seniors. In doing so, applications associated with health and well-being, such as Runkeeper and Nike+ were evaluated. In the end, it was found that these apps do not meet standards for "visual design, followed by navigation and perception", and as a result, were not compatible with the needs of seniors.

Digital Literacy
The Internet is a useful tool for seniors, delivering infinite amounts of opportunities for connectedness within their communities. Particalarly, the Internet is useful as it offers seniors the opportunity to connect to daily news, family, friends, as well as knowledgeable websites. In fact, after studying 58 elderly Internet users from SeniorNet, it was found that the Internet was especially useful for keeping them busy. In doing so, these users claimed to use the Internet for financial data, social interactivity, travel information, and entertainment purposes. In addition to this, research also shows that the use of the ICTs by elderly individuals often attains positive side effects. These include a decrease in depression, better social skills, greater levels of brain activity, and lastly, assertiveness and a sense of belonging.

Assistive Technology
Digital literacy is vital in connecting seniors to the growing use of technology in today’s health care systems. For example, wellness programs are becoming increasingly dependent on assistive technologies, which to name a few, consist of devices that enhance movement abilities as well as monitor health. For instance, COACH (Cognitive Orthosis for Assisting aCtivities in the Home), is an artificial intelligence device that offers seniors with dementia the ability to conduct activities in their day to day lives. To achieve this, users are told where to position themselves while performing basic tasks such as grabbing a towel after washing their hands. The PERS+ System (Personal Emergency Response System) is another assistive technology available to seniors. This device aims to monitor activity in the kitchen while detecting regular refrigerator use throughout the day. If the activity does not match habitual routines; for instance, the refrigerator is not opened all day long, then, an emergency call will be made to a loved one. Similarly, Smart Homes are also used to increase the independence of elderly individuals. The advantages of these are plentiful, from detecting smoke and energy efficiency, to offering daily reminders or monitoring possible falls and slips. When considering the above, the Internet has progressively become a reliable data source for health and wellbeing. Hence, without any knowledge of the Internet, or trust with technological devices, digitally illiterate seniors become unable to reap the benefits of health information technology (HIT).

Attaining Health Information
Overall, digitally literate seniors appear to be better informed on their health, which is important for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, seniors who utilize Internet health pages, are inevitably more aware of their personal wellness. This was proven during a 2008 study conducted by Susan Gatto and Sunghee Tak, where it was found that "more than two-thirds (68%) of online seniors and 21% of all seniors have looked up health information online" In the same study, it was also found that nearly 50% of senior Internet users consider online information on health and well-being to be very useful. As a result, these individuals tend to feel more comfortable discussing and questioning their health issues during physicals and check-ups. While bearing this in mind, it also probable that through more comprehensive interactions with their doctors, seniors who use the Internet will also be more likely to attain accurate treatments.

Dangers of Internet Use by Seniors
Janet Chang, Carolyn McAllister and Rosemary McCaslin in their article Correlates of, and Barriers to, Internet Use Among Older Adults, take an oppositional view to the use of the Internet by seniors, by considering it’s plausible disadvantages. Above all, Chang and his associates claim that using the Internet does not necessarily increase social interaction, but rather, disrupts seniors’ ability to maintain personal, face-to-face interaction. In addition to this, as a result of their lacking knowledge of the Internet, seniors are also vulnerable to online exploitation. Above all else, seniors seem to be susceptible targets of fraudulent activity, particularly, in terms of financial scams online. According to journalist, Kelli B. Grant, of CNBC News, "older Americans lose $36.5 billion each year to financial scams and abuse" In doing so, the elderly are often duped through “kidnapping scams asking for ransom, and phishing schemes promising expensive miracle cures for diseases common among the elderly”.

SeniorNet
SeniorNet is a non-profit organization that aims to empower elderly users to become familiarized with online platforms. Since 1986, this community project has been founded on the inclusiveness of seniors online, by creating a space where “courses are taught by senior citizens, for senior citizens”. It is hoped that in doing so, seniors will become further encouraged to share both their “knowledge and wisdom” online. Essentially, the purpose of SeniorNetis two-fold. First, it acts as a social platform for elderly users. Secondly, through the creation of nearly 200 learning facilities, this non-profit organization also intends to teach elderly Internet users how to benefit from online platforms.

Senior Websites
Senior Match is a website available to elderly adults who are looking to connect with people their age online. The website is intended for users aged 50 years and older seeking companionships; whether it be, someone to travel with, a life partner or someone to call a friend. In doing so, SeniorMatch hopes to help elderly individuals feel less isolated, and ultimately, seek the unique relationship they desire to find. Lastly, SeniorMatch guarantees that the privacy of seniors is their utmost concern, as they ensure prospective clients that their personal information is safe when using their site.

Similar to SeniorMatch, EHarmony aims to connect seniors online. Based in Canada, this website focuses primarily on dating and intimate relationships, by introducing local, compatible singles across the country. In addition to this, it aims to offer an easy-to-use platform, which corresponds to the needs of Seniors.

Facebook
Facebook and other sites have aimed to connect seniors online. In fact, through the incorporation of elderly-friendly layouts, Facebook has appealed to nearly 14 million more edlerly users between 2007 and 2008. This is worth recognizing, as it permits seniors the ability to gain social capital, as they are able to connect with peers who also use Facebook as a communication platform. Eun Hwa Jung and Shyam Sundar further substantiate Facebook as an effective solution for senior connectedness online. In particular, their study emphasizes Facebook’s tools such as online friendships, photo sharing and the like button as practical for senior users. Primarily, these tools are appreciated by elderly users due to their utter simplicity. Secondly, older adults enjoy these aspects of Facebook, as they allow for greater means for connectedness with friends and family.

The Teens Teaching Internet Skills (TTIS) Pilot Project
The Teens Teaching Internet Skills Pilot Project (TTIS) was created with the intent of encouraging both a relationship among seniors and youth, as well as familiarizing elderly with the World Wide Web. Overall, the results of this project appear beneficial to both cohorts. Ultimately, this project offers youth the platform to enhance their leadership and social skills. Contrarily, after working with teens during the TTIS, seniors also illustrate greater levels of ease and confidence with the Internet. While bearing this in mind, the barriers facing seniors in using the Internet can be alleviated through projects such as TTIS, which aim to facilitate both the needs of youth and seniors in a two-way learning process.

Technological Initiatives
Currently, there have been several initiatives to gear new technology in ways that make them functional for all users. This is especially evident in Apple Merchandise, where products are made to be simplified in ways that make it easier for consumers, like the elderly, to use and benefit from.

The iPad and Kindle
Take, for instance, Apple's device, the iPad. Through its big screens and supplementary applications such as “videos, online books, music, social networking platforms, and inspiring applications available for download”, seniors have found ease in its level of usability. In fact, according to a study conducted by Julie A. Delello and Rochell R. McWhorter, it was found that the utilization of iPads by seniors was indeed beneficial, often increasing social interaction. In addition to this, it was revealed that iPad use increased memory overall, even improving the health of seniors with dementia.

Hsin-yi Sandy Tsai, Ruth Shillair, Shelia R. Cotten, Vicki Winstead & Elizabeth Yost, in their article, Getting Grandma Online: Are Tablets the Answer for Increasing Digital Inclusion for Older Adults in the U.S.?, also exemplify some of the evident benefits associated with simple technologies. Generally, this study revealed the effectiveness that devices such as iPads, tablets, and kindles have on elderly users. For instance, after asking older adult users how they felt about their devices, the majority of them claimed that “using tablets made them feel more connected”. In addition to this, 57% of the senior participants used in this research claimed that tablets generally made them feel more up to date. Lastly, seniors also claimed to appreciate their device’s various tools which were typically relevant to their needs. In particular, the effective use of applications on weather and health were especially noted.

Apple Watch
Apple’s Series 2 Watch, was made with the needs of Seniors in mind. First and foremost, the watch comes with a programmed GPS system. Through this appliance, a user’s activity can be closely monitored, allowing family and friends to track their every movement. Thereby, seniors can feel safe when going about their daily routines inside or outside of the home. Moreover, the Apple Watch also includes a Fall Safety application, which records and notifies loved ones of possible accidents, such as slips and falls. Lastly, the Apple Watch also monitors the health of its users. For instance, the Heart Rate Sensor application collects data on the user’s heart rate and informs them about any concerning changes. Altogether, these features of the Apple Watch are useful in offering seniors a sense of security as it keeps them connected to loved ones and better engages them with their individual health and well-being.